Max About Town

We take great pride in the store that we have created. We try not to pat ourselves on the back too often, but man this is a good looking liquor store. However, we can't take all of the credit. Part of the reason our store looks so good is because of all of the art we have. Although, I am not referring to framed pieces from the renaissance era. Instead, I am talking about label art. From beautiful hand painted original pieces to the somewhat disturbing computer generated images on some beer labels, the art that companies use to create their brand is at times quite impressive. Today we walked around the store and picked out 15 of our favorite pieces. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Thanksgiving is happening at your Aunt Muriel’s again this year, and she prides herself on her ability to cook anything from her 1950's edition of Betty Crocker. Here are the strangest recipes you may be forced to pretend to enjoy. These pairings may not save dinner, but at least make Muriel’s cat stories more interesting.

​1. Ham and Bananas Hollandaise & GewürztraminerHeavy Sauces can be helped with a bright white, high in acid. Nothing can help those bananas.

​2. Liver Sausage Pineapple & SyrahSyrah pairs great with most red meats, no matter what shape they come in.

10 OVER 10%

These 10 Giant Colorado Beers are all over 10% ABV and are sure to impress. Remember to pace yourself when enjoying these beers - it's a marathon not a sprint.

#1 - Epic’s “Big Bad Baptist” – This beer consistently scores at or near 100 points on Beer Advocate and Ratebeer.com. This is one Big Bad Imperial Stout with Cocoa nibs and Coffee beans. Each season's release uses a different dark roasted coffee. These beer would pair perfectly with a nice hard cheese and or a rich chocolate desser

ABV – 12%

#2 - River North’s “Big City Quad” - A Belgian-style Quadrupel aged in two types of classic whiskey cocktail barrels: Manhattan and Boulevardier. The nose is of caramel and whiskey, with some light wood. Slightly sweet as expected with flavors of caramel malts, herbal component from the vermouth, and lingering finish of a Manhattan cocktail, pronounced vanilla as it warms.

ABV – 13.7%

#3 - Ska Brewing’s “Decadent” - Citrus aroma prevails in this giant west coast style IPA. "Mounds of fresh hops and caramel malts explode upon the palate". Originally produced to celebrate Ska’s tenth year in the brewing business, is has sense become a year round offering. The hops cut through and refresh spicy Indian, Thai, and Mexican foods. The Cascade hops latch onto cumin, lime juice, and cilantro.

ABV – 10%

#4 - Renegade Brewing’s “Endpoint Triple IPA” - This rediculously big IPA "Parties like a twelve pack and travels like a four..." At 11% ABV it is the biggest 12oz can we have in the store. Single hopped with tons of summit hops, this beer is a great example of how complex a single-hopped beer can be.

ABV - 11%

#5 - Elevation Brewing's - "False Summit" - From Elevations website - "Many a hiker has been disheartened by the false summits on Mt. Princeton, Yale, Antero and the 11 other 14,000-foot peaks that ring Chaffee County. We named this beer False Summit, as some may too be disheartened that this is not a barrel-aged version of our famous Apis IV. Yet this Bourbon barrel-aged quadrupel, like the final stretch of trail to a mountain’s peak, is often much more enjoyable and rewarding then what came before".

ABV - 11.1%

#6 - River North's - "Fancy Effing Stout - River North is the only brewery with two beers that made this list. What can we say, they know how to make big ass beers...This fancy stout was aged in barrels formerly containing whiskey, vermouth & bitter liqueur.

ABV - 10.8%

#7 - Crazy Mountain's - "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" - This is the beer that made me appreciate American style barley wine. Crazy mountain nailed the balance between big hops, huge malts, and the right amount of booze to warm the soul.

ABV - 10%

#8 - Avery's "The Reverend" - Yet another Belgian style Quad... You may have started to notice the pattern here. However, this beer really nails the style. If I could pick only one beer to drink for the rest of my life this would be that beer. Huge malts but not cloying sweet, warm alcohol, and a hint of tobacco. This works well with desert or pizza, steaks, or BBQ.

ABV - 10%

#9 - Upslope's "Imperial IPA" - 90 IBU's and 10% ABV are proudly displayed on the front of this beutiful 19oz can. Although, this beer is intended to be poured and enjoyed from appropriate glassware, there is something very satisfying about drinking one straight from the can,,, However, do not plan on getting much accomplished afterwards. Big, boozy, hoppy, a terrific beer.

ABV - 10%

#10 - Vindication's "Devil's Helper" Imperial stout - Chocolate, tobacco, and a hint of earth come through in this beast of a stout. Vindication is a fairly new edition to the Colorado beer scene. However, if they keep producing big beers this good, we have no doubt they will be around for the long haul.

ABV - 10.3%

If there is a beer that you want to see on this list then please let us know. All of these beers can be found at Mulberry MAX in Fort Collins, Colorado.